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Last Updated: May 2025

Best Web Control Apps for 2025
Give your children a safe online experience

The internet isn't always safe. The right online controls will ensure that your kids are protected from cyber-bullying, online predators, and dangerous websites.

Top 3 Web Control Apps:
We Recommend
Aura
good
8.4
Limited time offer: 68% off
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bark
excellent
9.2
Save up to 42% on annual plans
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Qustodio
exceptional
9.7
7 Million families protected
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Our Most Popular
1
Aura -Extensive web controls that keep your family safe onlineRead Review
  • Summer Sale: $79.99 for 1 year
  • Block apps and limit screen time
  • Breach alerts, Dark Web monitoring, VPN & more
  • Cyberbullying and predator alerts
good
8.4
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2
bark -Smart web controls to keep kids safe onlineRead Review
  • Protects over 5 million children
  • Proactive social media monitoring
  • 7-day free trial
excellent
9.2
3
Qustodio -Get full visibility with web controls that keep your kids safe onlineRead Review
  • Social media monitoring
  • Web filtering & time limits
  • School device monitoring included
exceptional
9.7
4
mSpy -Worry less with a proactive & affordable phone tracker for internet safetyRead Review
  • Monitor social media activity
  • 14 days money-back guarantee
  • Compatible with Android & iOS devices
good
8.1
5
eyeZy -Affordable monitoring for online control with artificial intelligence alertsRead Review
  • Bank-grade encryption keeps your data secure
  • Compatible with most devices
  • 24/7 customer support
good
8.1
6
Norton -Online control tools to easily manage your kids' online activitiesRead Review
  • Web filtering & GPS location monitoring
  • Search control features
  • Mobile app for Android & iOS devices
very good
8.5
7
Parentaler -Comprehensive parental control app that monitors your kids' phone remotelyRead Review
  • GPS location tracking + geofencing alerts
  • View conversations & social media profiles
  • Compatible with Android & iOS devices
good
8.0

Web Control

What is web control software?

Web control software is software that is designed to protect minors from age-inappropriate content. Examples of types of website content that web control software typically has the ability to block include pornography, websites containing violence, and websites promoting the sale of alcoholic beverages.

What does web control software do?

Web control software typically contains a number of functionalities.

  • At its most basic level, web control products contain tools to block inappropriate website content. Typically this is category based. But most products also contain the ability to configure whitelists and blacklists. Whitelists are lists of websites that the administrator (parent) has deemed to be okay—a whitelisted website will not be blocked even if it is classified as belonging to a blocked category. Conversely, a blacklisted website will not be allowed to display even when the category is not blocked.

Additionally, most web control tools contain functions to control or limit the amount of time children spend at the computer:

  • These functions commonly allow the administrator to restrict access to the internet to certain hours per day. For instance, a parent could set up the control settings so that the internet, or certain programs, will be prevented from running after 10pm—when children should be preparing for bed rather than sitting at the PC.

  • Many programs also allow users to set an upper limit on the number of hours per day during which the internet, certain programs, or the computer itself can be accessed. If the daily hour limit is exceeded the child will be prevented from being able to access the website in question.

What other features should I look out for?

  • App & content blocking: This allows the parent the ability to entirely block specific programs, irrespective of the time or day or usage volume.

  • Invisible installation: Many web control tools can install themselves completely invisibly on the system. This can make it difficult for even tech-savvy teenagers to devise ways to remove the program and circumvent the filtering.